By the People

Debating American Government

James Morone and Rogan Kersh

N/A

By the People

Debating American Government

James Morone and Rogan Kersh

Description

ENGAGE. THINK. DEBATE.

Challenge your students to ENGAGE in the conversation and process; THINK about the ideas, history, structure, and function; and DEBATE the merits of American government and politics in the 21st century.

In a storytelling approach that weaves contemporary examples together with historical context, By the People: Debating American Government explores the themes and ideas that drive the great debates in American government and politics. It introduces students to big questions like Who governs? How does our system of government work? What does government do? and Who are we? By challenging students with these questions, the text gets them to think about, engage with, and debate the merits of U.S. government and politics.

ENGAGE

* "By the Numbers" boxes containing fun facts help frame the quizzical reality of American politics and government

* "Comparing Nations" boxes discuss how other nations operate their courts, legislatures, media, and elections and help students understand what is vital and distinctive about the U.S.

* "See For Yourself" features enable students to connect with the click of a smart phone to videos and other interactive online content

THINK

* Chapter Two introduces students to seven key American ideas, which are revisited throughout the text

* "The Bottom Line" summaries conclude each chapter section, underscoring the most important aspects of the discussion

DEBATE

*
"What Do You Think?" boxes encourage students to use their critical-thinking skills and debate issues in American government

* Four major themes, in the form of questions to spark debate, are presented to students in Chapter One and appear throughout the text

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Companion Website at www.oup.com/us/morone

For instructors, this site includes the teaching tools described below. For students, it offers a number of study tools including learning objectives, key-concept summaries, quizzes and essay questions, web activities, and web links.

Instructor's Resource Manual with Test Bank

Computerized Test Bank: Using the test authoring and management
tool Diploma, this computerized test bank is designed for both novice and advanced users.

PowerPoint-based Slides: Each chapter's slide deck includes a succinct chapter outline and incorporates relevant chapter graphics. Available on the Instructor's Resource CD and as a download online.

Instructor's Resource CD: This includes the Instructor's Resource Manual with Tests, the Computerized Test Bank, the PowerPoint-based slides, and the graphics from the text.

Now Playing: Learning American Government Through Film: This concise print supplement provides a variety of suggested films that illustrate concepts covered in the text. It is available in both a student and an instructor version and can be packaged with By The People for free.

CNNVideo Guide

Course Cartridges

Packaging Options

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By the People

Debating American Government

James Morone and Rogan Kersh

Table of Contents

Each chapter ends with a Summary and Study Questions. About the AuthorsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsPART I. IDEAS AND RIGHTS Chapter 1. The Spirit of American Politics Comparing Nations: A President's Pledge Who Governs?How Does American Politics Work?IdeasInstitutionsInterestsIndividualsHistoryWhat Does Government Do?Context: Governments in SocietyWe Hate Government!What Government DoesWhere Dislike of Government Really MattersThe Best of GovernmentWho Are We?What Do You Think? Getting Engaged in Politics--or Not Chapter 2. The Ideas That Shape America A Nation of IdeasLiberty"The Land of the Free"The Two Sides of LibertyWhat Do You Think? Negative vs. Positive Liberty The Idea of Freedom Is Always ChangingSelf-RulePower from the PeopleOne Side of Self-Rule: DemocracyAnother Side of Self-Rule: A RepublicA Mixed SystemLimited GovernmentThe Origins of Limited GovernmentAnd Yet . . . the United States Has a Big GovernmentLimits of Government ActionWhen Ideas Clash: Self-Rule and Limited GovernmentWhat Do You Think? Self Rule vs. Limited Government IndividualismCommunity vs. IndividualismComparing Nations: Which is More Important? The Roots of American Individualism: Opportunity and DiscordWho We Are: Individualism and Solidarity?What Do You Think? Individualism vs. Solidarity The American
DreamSpreading the DreamChallenging the DreamComparing Nations: Views of Individualism and the Role of the State EqualityThree Kinds of EqualityComparing Nations: Inequality Levels How Much Economic Inequality Is Too Much?Opportunity or Outcome?ReligionStill Religious: A Religious CountrySo Many ReligionsThe Politics of ReligionHow Do Ideas Affect Politics?Ideas in American CultureThe Ideas in Political InstitutionsCulture or Institutions?Culture and Institutions, TogetherChapter 3. The Constitution The Colonial Roots of the ConstitutionComparing Nations: The United States Constitution in Comparative Context Why the Colonists RevoltedThe Colonial Complaint:RepresentationThe Conflict Begins with Blood on the FrontierThe Stamp Tax and the First Hints of IndependenceThe Townsend Acts Worsen the ConflictThe Boston Tea PartyRevolution!A Long LegacyThe Declaration of IndependenceThe Principle: "We hold these truths . . ."GrievancesThe First American Government: The Articles of ConfederationIndependent StatesThe National GovernmentSome Success . . .. . . And Some ProblemsWinner and LosersWhat Do You Think? Your Advice is Needed The First Step: Annapolis ConventionNot "Demigods" but Shrewd PoliticiansSecrecyWhat Do You Think? Was Delegate Secrecy Warranted? The Constitutional ConventionHow Much Power to the People?National Government versus State GovernmentBig States versus Small StatesThe PresidentSeparation of Powers"A Principle of Which We Were Ashamed"An Overview of the ConstitutionPreambleWhat Do You Think? Have We Achieved the Constitution's Goals Today? Article 1: CongressWhat Do You Think? Detention of Terrorism Suspects Article 2: The PresidentArticle 3: The CourtsComparing Nations: The United States Government is Different from Most Democracies Article 4: Relations Between the StatesArticle 5: AmendmentsArticle 6: The Law of the LandArticle 7: RatificationThe Missing ArticlesRatificationThe Anti-FederalistsThe FederalistsTwo Strong ArgumentsA Very CloseCallA Popular Surge Propels People into PoliticsChanging the ConstitutionThe Bill of RightsThe Seventeen AmendmentsThe Constitution TodayWhat Do You Think? How Strictly Should We Interpret the Constitution? Chapter 4. Federalism and Nationalism Why Federalism?Choosing FederalismComparing Nations: Nations With Federal Systems of Government The DisadvantagesThe StakesWhat Do You Think? Preserving Local Values or Continuing a Terrible Injustice? How Federalism WorksThe Constitution Sets the Ground RulesDual FederalismCooperative FederalismNew FederalismBattles over Federalism TodayFederalism and the PartiesWhat Do You Think? Intergovernmental Lobbying, American StyleFederalism in the CourtsFederalism's SecretNationalism, American Style The Rise of American NationalismComparing Nations: The Early Birth of American Nationalism America's Weak National GovernmentThe Hidden StateChapter 5. Civil Liberties The Rise of Civil LibertiesCivil Rights and Civil LibertiesThe Purpose of Civil LibertiesThe Slow Rise of RightsPrivacyPenumbra and EmanationsWhat Do You Think? Is There a Right to Privacy? Roe v. WadePlanned Parenthood v. CaseySexuality Between Consenting AdultsClashing PrinciplesFreedom of ReligionThe Establishment ClauseWhat Do You Think? May the Christian Youth Club Meet in School? Free Exercise of ReligionWhat Do You Think? David's Law Freedom of SpeechA Preferred PositionPolitical SpeechSymbolic SpeechComparing Nations Civil Liberties Around the World Limits to Free Speech: Fighting WordsFreedom of the Press Prior RestraintObscenityLibelWhat Do You Think? Campaign Finance Reform The Right to Bear ArmsA Relic of the Revolution?The Palladium of All Liberties?The Rights of the AccusedAmericans Behind BarsThe Fourth Amendment: Search and SeizureThe Fifth Amendment: Rights at TrialsThe Sixth Amendment: The Right to CounselThe Eighth Amendment: The Death PenaltyWhat Do You Think? End the Death Penalty? Comparing Nations: Criminal Justice in France and the UnitedStates Fighting Terrorism and Protecting LibertyContracts with Forbidden GroupsWiretapsVisitorsLibrariesThe Right BalanceChapter 6. The Struggle for Civil Rights Winning Rights: The Political ProcessSeven Steps to Political EqualityHow the Courts Review CasesRace and Civil Rights: Revolt Against SlaveryThe Clash Over SlaveryDred Scott v. SanfordThe Second American Founding: A New Birth of Freedom?Freedom FailsThe Fight for Racial EqualityTwo Kinds of DiscriminationThe Civil Rights Campaign BeginsThe CourtsThe Civil Rights MovementWhat Do You Think? Would You Have Been a 60s Protester? Congress and the Civil Rights ActThe End of the Civil Rights EraDivisions in the MovementAffirmative Action in the Work PlaceAffirmative Action in EducationSchool BusingWhat Do You Think? Higher Education and Affirmative Action Where Are We Now?GenderSuffrageComparing Nations: Women in National Legislatures The Civil Rights Act of 1964The CourtsProgress--but How Much?Gender Politics TodayHispanicsChallenging DiscriminationLatinos and the Politics of ImmigrationThe Controversy over LanguagePolitical MobilizationAsian AmericansThe Asian StereotypesPolitical MobilizationWhat Do You Think? Simple Decency? Or Political Correctness Run Amuck? Native AmericansThe Lost Way of LifeIndians and the FederalGovernmentSocial Problems and PoliticsGroups Without Special ProtectionPeople with DisabilitiesSexual OrientationPART II. POLITICAL BEHAVIOR Chapter 7. Political Participation How We ParticipatePassionates, Scorekeepers, and UninvolvedWhat Do You Think? Blending Participatory Styles Benefits of Public ParticipationThe Diminishing PublicGetting Involved: Electoral, Voluntary, and Political VoiceElectoral ActivitiesComparing Nations: Voter Turnout in Selected Countries Civic VoluntarismWhat Do you think? Volunteer Globally? Political VoiceWhat Inspires Political Participation?Spurs to Individual ParticipationCycles of Public ParticipationExplaining the CyclesWhat Discourages Political Participation?Age, Wealth, and EducationAlienationInstitutional BarriersComplacencyShifting Mobilization PatternsGeneration Y and Political ParticipationThe Internet, Social Media, and ParticipationBehavior and Political ParticipationGovernment as "Nudgeocracy"Our All-Too-Human BehaviorsChapter 8. Public Opinion Public Opinion in a DemocracyIgnorant Masses?Or a Self-Governing People?Skeptics Question the Influence of Public OpinionThe Public is Wise and RationalWhat Do You Think? How Do You Participate? Public Opinion and GoverningDo the People Know What They Want?How Do the People Communicate Their Desires?Do Leaders Respond to PublicOpinion?Comparing Nations: Polling Around the Globe Measuring Public OpinionPolling 101Modern Polling: From "Landslide Landon" to Scientific SurveysDo Opinion Surveys Influence Us?What Do You Think? Calling the Election Early? Sources of Public OpinionSelf-Interest: Voting Our PocketbooksDemographic Effects: From Region to ReligionPartisan EffectsElite InfluencesWars and Other Focusing EventsChapter 9. The Media American Media Today: Traditional Formats are DecliningWhere People Go For NewsNewspaper DeclineRadio Holds SteadyTelevision: From News to InfotainmentMovies: Mirroring AmericaWhat Do You Think? Movies that Take a Stand The Media TodayThe Rise of New
MediaScenario 1: Rebooting DemocracyScenario 2: More Hype and Danger than Democratic RenaissanceIs the Media Biased?Reporters Are DemocratsProfits Drive the News IndustryDrama Delivers AudiencesConflict Draws an AudienceSex and ScandalThe Skeptical MediaThe Fairness BiasHow Governments Shape the MediaRegulating BroadcastersProtecting CompetitionMedia Around the WorldGovernment-Owned StationsThe Rise of Commercial MediaThe Foreign Press Takes SidesNewspapers Around the WorldCensorshipComparing Nations: Censorship Under Pressure? American Media in the WorldHow the Media Shapes PoliticsNews Stories Reinforce Existing BeliefsThe Political AgendaPriming the PublicFraming the IssueThe Media's Electoral ConnectionThe Campaign as dramaCandidate ProfilesWhat Do You Think? Does the Media Enhance Democracy? Chapter 10. Campaigns and Elections Campaigns and Elections, U.S. StyleFederalism and American ElectionsAre U.S. Elections Democratic?Comparing Nations: Election Timetables for Legislature/Chief Executive Number of Elected OfficialsWhat Do You Think? Too Many Elected Positions? Financing Campaigns: Equality of Voices: Financing CampaignsPresidential Campaigns and ElectionsWho Runs for President?Presidential Campaigns: Three PhasesWinning the NominationWhat Do You Think? Why Iowa and New Hampshire? Organizing theConventionThe General ElectionWinning Presidential ElectionsU.S. Economic OutlookDemographicsWar and Foreign PolicyDomestic IssuesOrganization/AdvisersPredicting Presidential ElectionsCongressional Campaigns and ElectionsCandidates: Who Runs for Congress?The Power of IncumbencyCongressional Election ResultsRedrawing the Lines: The Art of the GerrymanderNonpartisan Districting and Minority RepresentationCritical Elections: Engine of History or American Myth?The Rise of Candidate-Centered Elections"Critical" Midterm Election OutcomesDo You Want to Run for Congress?Chapter 11. Political Parties Political Parties and U.S. GovernmentWhat the Parties DoTwo-PartyAmericaComparing Nations: Organizing Electoral/Governing Systems Third Parties in American PoliticsHow Parties are OrganizedParty in GovernmentParty OrganizationParty in the ElectorateThe Big Party TentsAmerica's Party Systems: Origins and ChangeBeginnings: First Party System (1789-1828)Rise: Second Party System (c. 1828-1860)War and Reconstruction: Third Party System (1860-1896)Business and Reform: Fourth Party System (1896-1932)Depression and New Deal: Fifth Party System (1933-1972)The Sixth Party System: The Parties at Equal Strength (1972-Present)What Do You Think? Does the 2012 Election Suggest a New Party Period? Why the Party Period MattersParty Identification . . . and IdeasBuilding Party IdentificationWhat Do You Think? Personality and Party The Power of Party AttachmentRepublican FactionsDemocratic FactionsParty Competition . . . and PartisanshipParties Rise AgainCompetition IntensifiesPartisanship and Its DiscontentsWhat Do You Think? Winner Take All What Do You Think? Third Parties What Do You Think? Partisanship Chapter 12. Interest Groups Interest Groups: Them or Us?Interest Groups and LobbyingExamples: Lobbying Groups in ActionWhat Groups Do For MembersWho Represents the Public Interest?Interest Groups and PowerLobbyist SpendingWhat Do You Think? Assessing the Influence of Lobbyists Regulating Interest GroupsLobbying
Past and PresentLobbying at the Dawn of an Industrial AgeReforming the System: Progressives to Post-WWII1960s Advocacy Explosion"Young Guns" and WomenComparing Nations: The Spread of American-Style Lobbying Lobbyists in ActionThe Multiple Roles of LobbyistsPrivate and Public AdvocacyPrivate Representatives: From Single-Firmers to Hired GunsPublic Advocates: Forming and Tending GroupsNonprofits Don't Lobby?Lobbying the Federal Branches of GovernmentRise of the Issue NetworkIntergovernmental and Reverse LobbyingLobbying the CourtsThree Insider Keys to Effective Washington LobbyingAre Interest Groups Bad or Good for America?Four Concerns About LobbyingFour Defenses of LobbyingWhat Do You Think? Are Interest Groups Good for American Government? PART III. POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS Chapter 13. Congress Introducing CongressTwo Houses, Different StylesWhat Do You Think? Senate Filibusters Congressional RepresentationWhat Do You Think? Who Really Represents You? Does Congress Reflect America?Comparing Nations: Women in National Legislatures Trustees and DelegatesWhat Do You Think? Two Views of Representation Elections: Getting to Congress --and Staying ThereCongressional ElectionsHome Styles: Back in the DistrictA Government of StrangersCongress at WorkThe City on the HillMinnows and Whales: Congressional LeadershipHouse LeadershipSenateLeadershipIntangibles of Congressional LeadershipCommittees: Workhorses of CongressThe Enduring Power of CommitteesLeadership and AssignmentsComparing Nations: A Unique U.S. System Legislative PolicymakingThe Importance of the Legislative ProcessDrafting a Bill to LifeSubmitting the BillCommittee ActionFloor ActionConference CommitteePresidential Action: Separated Powers, Once MoreHouse-Senate RelationsThe House and Senate Have Some Unique RolesThe Other BodyWhy is Congress so Unpopular?What Do You Think? Is a Partisan Congress a Good Thing? Divided GovernmentSome Popular Reforms--and Their LimitsTerm LimitsAre We Tired of Democracy Itself?Chapter 14.The Presidency Defining the PresidencyThe Silence of Article IIThe President's PowersComparing Nations: Chief Executives' Power Is the President Too Powerful?An Imperial Presidency?A Weak Office?What Presidents DoCommander-in-ChiefTop DiplomatThe First LegislatorChief BureaucratEconomist-in-ChiefThe Head of StateParty LeaderThe Bully Pulpit: Introducing IdeasThe Impossible JobPresidential Leadership: Success and Failures in the Oval OfficeManaging the PublicApproval RatingsPresidential GreatnessGreatness in Context: The Rise and Fall of Political OrdersWhat Do You Think? Changing Political Order The Personal PresidencyPresidential StyleWhat Do You Think? The President in Action A Model of the Personal PresidencyThe Burden of the OfficeThe President's Team: A Tour of the White HouseThe Political Solar System: Presidential AppointmentsThe Vice PresidentThe CabinetThe Executive Office of the PresidentThe First SpouseChapter 15. Bureaucracy How the Bureaucracy GrewBefore the BureaucracyThe Bureaucratic ModelBureaucratic PathologiesThe Democratic DilemmaWhat Bureaucracies DoImplementationHow the Bureaucracy is OrganizedThe Cabinet DepartmentsComparing Nations: Parliamentary Systems Other AgenciesWho Controls the Federal Bureaucracy?The PeopleThe PresidentCongressInterestGroupsBureaucratic AutonomyDemocracy RevisitedReforming the BureaucracyReforming the BureaucracyWhat Do You Think? Should We Privatize More Government Functions? Chapter 16. The Judicial Branch Who are We? A Nation of Laws . . . and LawyersEmbracing the Law-- and LawsuitsDeclining TrustCourts in American CultureOrganizing the Judicial BranchDivided We RuleWhat Do You Think? How Should States Select Their Judges? Federal CourtsSpecialized CourtsDiversity in the Federal JudiciaryWhat Do You Think? Identity on the Bench The Court's RoleJudicial ReviewActivism versus RestraintThe Judicial ProcessJudicial MystiqueToo Much Power?Comparing Nations: Powerof the Judiciary . . . or Still the "Least Dangerous" Branch?The Supreme Court and How It OperatesHearing CasesSelecting Cases: Formal RequirementsSelecting Cases: Informal FactorsConference Sessions and Written DecisionsSupreme Court ClerksConfirmation BattlesJudicial Decision-Making and ReformThe Role of LawIdeology and PartisanshipCollegiality and Peer PressureNineteen Cases You Should Know1. Marbury v. Madison (1803)2. McCullough v. Maryland (1819)3. Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)4. Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)5. Santa Clara Co. v. Southern Pacific Rail Road (1886)6. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)7. Lochner v. New
York (1905)8. Muller v. Oregon (1908)9. Schneck v. United States (1919)10. National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation (1937)11. Korematsu v. U.S. (1944)12. Everson v. Board of Education (1947)13. Brown v. Board of Ed. (1954)14. Mapp v. Ohio (1961)15. Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)16. Roe v. Wade (1973)17. U.S. v. Nixon (1974)18. Bush v. Gore (2000)19. National Federation of Independent Business v. Sibelius (2012)What Do You Think? Name Another Landmark Case Criticizing the JudiciaryCritiquing the JudiciaryIdeas for Reform: More ResourcesTerm LimitsPART IV. POLICYMAKING Chapter 17. Public Policymaking and Budgeting Public Policymaking in Five (Not-So-Easy) Stages 1. Agenda Setting2. Framing3. Policy FormationAnalyzing Policy, Ex AnteFrom Cost-Benefit Analysis to Politics1. Policy Implementation2. Policy Evaluation and FeedbackEx Post Policy EvaluationsA Case in Point: Gang ViolenceAnother Case: Calorie Labels on Fast Food MenusPolicy FeedbackU.S. Social PolicyWars and Social PolicyOld-Age Insurance: Social SecurityUnemployment BenefitsHealth and Disability: Medicare/MedicaidWhat Do You Think? Should we Reform Social Security and Medicare? Making Good PolicyMoral Policies: Justice orDemocracy?Economically Efficient PoliciesMarkets, Privatization, and PolicyCapitalism Goes to the MoviesThe Federal Budget ProcessPresident's Budget ProposalCongressional budget ResolutionReign of the Cardinals: Appropriations Committee ActionComparing Nations: Budget Policymaking Reforming U.S. PolicymakingSystemic ReformPolicy EntrepreneursChapter 18. Foreign Policy American Foreign Policy Goal No. 1: SecurityDefining the DangersThe MilitaryShould the United States Scale Back the Military?Comparing Nations: Militaries and Democracies Soft PowerForeign Aid and Other Forms of SecurityWhat Do You Think? Downsizing the Military American Foreign Policy Goal No. 2:
ProsperityFree TradeChallenges to Free TradeAssisting BusinessEnergyEconomic WeaponsA Nation in Decline?Foreign Policy Perspectives American ExceptionalismValues in Decline?What Do You Think? Is America Exceptional? Engage the WorldGo It Alone or Act with Others?Four ApproachesWhat Do You Think? Foreign Policy Perspectives Who Makes Foreign Policy?CongressThe PresidentThe State DepartmentThe Department of DefenseIntelligenceThe National Security CouncilOther Executive AgenciesInterest Groups and the PublicSuccess or Fragmentation?Adding All of It Up: Grand Strategies Over TimeStrategy 1. Standing Alone: 1908-1939Strategy 2. TheCold War: 1945-1991Strategy 3. The New World Order: 1989-2003Strategy 4. The War on Terror (began 2001)What Do You Think? Terrorists and the Rule of Law Appendix I. The Declaration of Independence Appendix II. The Constitution of the United States of America Appendix III. The Federalist Papers 1, 10, and 51 GlossaryNotesCreditsIndex

By the People

Debating American Government

James Morone and Rogan Kersh

Author Information

James Morone (B.A., Middlebury College, and M.A. and PhD, University of Chicago) is Professor of Political Science at Brown University and five-time winner of the Hazeltine Citation for outstanding teacher of the year. A renowned scholar of American Political Science, Dr. Morone, an award-winning author, has published eight books including The Heart of Power (2009), Hellfire Nation (2003), and The Democratic Wish (1990). He served as President of the Politics and History Section of the American Political Science Association from 1999-2000 and the New England Political Science Association from 2002-03. He has been on the board of editors for eight scholarly journals and comments on politics in The New York Times, The London Review of Books, and The American Prospect.

Rogan Kersh (M.A. and PhD, Yale) is Provost and Professor of Political Science at Wake Forest University. A leading scholar in American Political Science, Dr. Kersh is best known for his work on health reform, obesity politics, and interest groups/lobbying. From 2006-12 he served as Associate Dean of the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University, where he built an undergraduate program, helped conceive and create NYU's new campus in Abu Dhabi, and was integral in the launch of a new Global Institute of Public Health. Dr. Kersh has published two books, more than fifty academic articles, and has provided commentary on U.S politics for dozens of different media outlets including CNN, Newsweek, and The New York Times. He was President of the American Political Science
Association's organized section on Health Politics and Policy in 2011-12, and is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

By the People

Debating American Government

James Morone and Rogan Kersh

Reviews and Awards

"By the People takes the important themes of American politics and brings them out through a series of interesting narratives, thoughtful questions, and strategic use of the best research in political science. Students will get caught up in the opening narratives and keep reading as the authors alternatively question and explain the central dilemmas of the American political system."--Amanda Rosen, Webster University

"Finally, the textbook you have been looking for. A fun text that your students will want to read that also gives them the information you want them to have. In addition, it leads them down the path to critical thinking about politics, political behavior, and what affects both."--Delaina Toothman, University of Maine

"I find its approach refreshing, departing from the typical textbooks out there. And knowing my students, I find that those who wish to learn would get a great deal out of it, and those who hate politics would find many aspects engaging."--Michaela Fazecas, University of Central Florida

"An excellent introductory text that distills and integrates what we know about the essential roles of ideas, institutions, interests, and individuals in American politics and presents the material with exceptional clarity while avoiding oversimplification."--Gary Mucciaroni, Temple University

"An original and engaging approach to American politics. It covers a wide spectrum of material with a conversational tone that includes numerous examples and stories that many students are sure to appreciate."--Michael Parkin, Oberlin College

"A most welcome addition to the field of American Government texts. It is clearly written and inventive in many ways. In all, a superior text."--Jeneen Hobby, Cleveland State University

"An advanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the American political system."--Frederick Gordon, Columbus State University